**** removed ***
Bob Slee, Director
Posted onOriginally from the North-East and a long line of coal miners, Bob Slee spent a diverse career of over 30 years in Whitehall, which included the establishment of a tri-service government agency responsible for the UK military housing estate, followed by two years as a member of the Agency’s management board. In 2005, following early […]
No Pets Allowed
Posted onNo Pets Allowed Q: We are a block of 20 apartments. Our lease (we are freeholders) states quite clearly, when originated some 30 years ago, that NO pets are allowed. Over the years the committee, on compassionate grounds only, have allowed new owners/renters who already had a pet to keep them …but not to replace […]
Paying for Fire Safety Improvements
Posted onPaying for Fire Safety Improvements Q: In the absence of relevant provisions in the lease, does the management board have any legal authority to compel leaseholders to accept (and pay for) fire safety improvements in the apartments, for example, intumescent seals and self-closing hinges being added to front doors? Another example is the installation of […]
Costly Fire Protection
Posted onCostly Fire Protection Q: We have been sent a quote for fire doors and other fire precaution works. The total being £35,000.00 and two further quotes for £15,000.00 each, for works to be considered (emergency lighting and our flat doors being upgraded) to meet fire door regulations. Can you advise if this seems a reasonable […]
Stressful Situation re Section 20
Posted onStressful Situation re Section 20 Q: We really appreciate this service and the fact that you publish previous questions in the web which are very helpful to others in similar situation. Our current situation is that we have to repair our roof (cost between £150.000 – £200.000). Section 20 stage 1 was completed and after […]
Replacement of Cladding post Grenfell
Posted onReplacement of Cladding post Grenfell Q: We have scheduled external redecoration in 2019, and we are given to believe that it is proposed to replace the cladding. In spring this year our residents’ association put in writing our objection to the proposed Intention to carry out works on the cladding as the earlier findings of the Fire Service stated the cladding does not […]
Looking after Leases and Absent Leaseholders
Posted onQ: We have one copy of the lease of easements for the 22 properties on our estate. They are stored in a metal box in the property of our former Chair. Should these be kept in a safety deposit box? Is there any requirement? I have looked into renting a secure box in a bank […]
Disabled Access
Posted onQ: I am encountering apparently contradictory statements re Disabled Access. We are a block of 26 seafront flats and we own the freehold. Firstly, I have read that under the Equality Act 2010, if you are a freeholder of a block of flats, you have a statutory duty to allow reasonable adaptions to the communal […]
Training for the Role
Posted onTraining for the Role Q: We have just upgraded the fire alarm systems to four separate blocks on our site including heat detectors within each flat. (37 in total). As part of the refurbishment we decided to upgrade our Fire Risk Assessment documentation by appointing an independent fire safety person and I’ve just received the […]